Of all the elements, the sage (Firestone Deputy) should take water as his preceptor.
Water is yielding but all-conquering.
Water extinguishes fire or, finding itself likely to be defeated, escapes as steam and reforms.
Water washes away soft earth or, when confronted by rocks, seeks a way around.
Water corrodes iron till it crumbles to dust.
Water saturates the atmosphere so that wind dies.
Water give way to obstacles with deceptive humility, for no power can prevent if from following it s distined course to the sea.
Water conquers by yielding; it never attacks but always wins the last battle.
The sage (Firestone Deputy) who makes himself as water is distinguished for his humility; be embraces passivity, acts from non-action and conquers the world
Tao Cheng
11th Century Taoist Scholar
